MaRS Discovery District - If you are from Toronto you probably remember the saga of MaRS and the bailout they needed a few years ago from the Province. MaRS is that glass building stuck between Toronto General Hospital, Queen’s Park and the University of Toronto. It was initially built to service the health care field but nearly failed because, well, innovation in the Health Care field is primarily driven by large corporations because of the huge costs involved. After the government bailout, MaRS has found life as an area for technology startups of all kinds. It helps that U of T is one of the best research institutions in the world for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and that expertise has drawn a massive amount of investment and spending in the local technology sector. Now not only is MaRS flourishing it is expanding to the waterfront to be part of Google’s Sidewalk Labs area in the port lands redevelopment. Huge news for the future of the city, a city that is quickly becoming one of the best tech cities in the world.
Back to School - I read this report back in early August and had so many thoughts about it. Mostly thoughts that would require bleeps to block out the bad words. Long story short, there are still far too many people working to take advantage of the innumerate for their own gain. In this case, RESPs are an absolute pain in the neck to administer because the federal government contributes some money and, well they need to double red-tape everything. What shocked me was how much money actually existed in these types of RESP companies. Maybe it’s time we find a modern way to invest for small RESP accounts to help people properly save for their children to go to school? Saving for university shouldn’t be this problematic.
Getting out of my comfort zone - Last week I attended a book launch for someone I know in the design industry. Not a single investment person in sight. I had a great night and met lots of interesting people who view the world from a totally different lens than I do. Monday I went to a technology networking event. Again, a great night with people in a totally different market. I found great benefit in both because I realized too often we can get stuck in our work silos and hear/see/do the same things over and over. It was a challenge to understand some parts of our discussions (give me a few more days before I know the difference between a UX and UI designer) but I enjoyed the push to expand my thinking. I am already signed up to a few more “non-investment/wealth management” events in October. I look forward to learning more and bringing back successful ideas to my own practice to improve what I can do.
Thanksgiving - Thanksgiving is my favourite holiday. How can you go wrong with turkey and stuffing (Mama Rook makes a mean stuffing), Fall colours, warm days and cool nights and the annual grandchildren-cranberry-picking boat ride with Grampa? I will be heading out of town a bit early to celebrate so there will be a throwback post here next week. Happy Thanksgiving to all!